The non-oil and gas processing sector continues to serve as a primary pillar supporting national exports, particularly through the substantial contribution of manufactured products. Indonesia's economic growth is significantly influenced by the consistency of the manufacturing industry as the largest contributor to boosting export performance. In 2023, the Ministry of Industry notes that national manufacturing sector exports reached USD 186.98 billion, accounting for 72.24% of the total national export value of USD 258.82 billion. These figures underscore the substantial contribution of the manufacturing industry to propelling the country's export performance. Despite global uncertainties, Indonesia's industry remains aggressive in expanding its export markets, indicating the competitiveness and global recognition of its manufactured products, as stated by Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. Exceeding set targets, the Ministry reports that manufacturing sector exports from January to December 2023 surpassed the initial projection of USD 186.40 billion. As a result, the sector achieved a higher level. The export target for the manufacturing industry in 2024 is set at USD 193.4 billion.
The heightened export performance plays a crucial role in creating a trade surplus for the manufacturing industry amounting to USD 17.39 billion in 2023. This achievement follows the surplus attained in 2022, demonstrating the manufacturing sector's resilience and positive contribution to the national trade balance. In 2023, the top five sectors contributing significantly to the national manufacturing sector's export value were basic metal industries (USD 42 billion), followed by the food and beverage industry (USD 41.69 billion), metal, computer, electronic, optical, and electrical equipment industries (USD18.12 billion), chemical, pharmaceutical, and traditional medicine industries (USD17.30 billion), and transportation equipment industries (USD13.12 billion). The increasing trend in national non-oil and gas processing industry exports is evident from 2019 to 2022. Starting at USD 127.38 billion in 2019, it rose to USD 131.09 billion in 2020, experienced a more significant increase to USD 177.20 billion in 2021, and surged significantly to USD 206.06 billion in 2022.
